Liberty Falls State Recreation Site
Alaska Recreation Area

Liberty Falls State Recreation Site

Alaska
Available Activities
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Photography

🏆🏆🏆🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Spectacular waterfall on the Edgerton Highway — stunning cascading falls dropping through a narrow canyon of moss-covered rocks.

Visitor Information

DetailInformation
LocationAlaska
AccessCheck AK State Parks

About Liberty Falls

Liberty Falls State Recreation Site on the Edgerton Highway near Chitina features a beautiful waterfall cascading through a rocky gorge. The site provides camping near the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park entrance — the largest national park in the United States at 13.2 million acres. The falls are a scenic rest stop on the road to McCarthy and the Kennicott copper mines.

Liberty Falls State Recreation Site along the Edgerton Highway provides camping near a beautiful waterfall where Liberty Creek cascades through a narrow canyon. The site serves as a staging area for the 60-mile McCarthy Road into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — America’s largest national park at 13.2 million acres (six times the size of Yellowstone). The surrounding Wrangell Mountains contain 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States.

Things to Do

Viewing Liberty Falls from the observation platform, camping (10 sites), fishing, and using as a base for exploring Wrangell-St. Elias — America’s largest national park. The drive to McCarthy is one of Alaska’s greatest adventures.

Viewing Liberty Falls, camping, using as a base for Wrangell-St. Elias exploration, fishing, wildlife watching for bears and moose, and preparing for the McCarthy Road adventure into America’s largest national park.

Insider Tips

Roadside wonder: Liberty Falls cascades 100+ feet beside the Edgerton Highway — one of the most accessible waterfalls in Alaska. Pro tip: The viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible. Side trip: Continue on the Edgerton Highway to McCarthy and the Kennecott Mines in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — the largest national park in the US at 13.2 million acres.

Best Time to Visit

June-August: Peak waterfall flow and best road conditions to McCarthy. May: Snowmelt produces maximum waterfall volume. Fall: Autumn colors against the white cascade. Winter: The falls may partially freeze — spectacular ice formations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kennecott?

The Kennecott Copper Mines (1911-1938) in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park produced $200 million in copper. The ghost town’s massive red buildings stand against glaciers — one of Alaska’s most photogenic destinations. Accessible by rough road from Chitina.

Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Squirrel Creek State Recreation Site is within about an hour’s drive, and Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site is elsewhere in the state.

Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

🏔️ Visit Liberty Falls State Recreation Site

Alaska wilderness recreation!

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America's State Parks Editorial Team

About the Author

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America's State Parks is an independent online guide to the state parks of the United States. Our editorial team compiles and reviews each park profile from official state park agency sources and other primary references, and follows a published editorial and review methodology (see /editorial-review-methodology/). We update profiles and correct errors on an ongoing basis.

200+ state parks visited across 42 states | 8+ years of outdoor writing

Last updated: May 17, 2026

Park Location

Alaska